Physicochemical Parameters of Drinking Water Produced by Small-Scale Desalination Plants and Their Impact on Consumer Safety in Sabratha, Libya.

Abstract

This study addresses the fundamental nexus between water security and environmental sustainability by examining the physicochemical properties of drinking water and evaluating the operational efficiency of small-scale desalination and filtration plants in Sabratha, Libya. Considering increasing groundwater salinity and deteriorating quality, these plants have emerged as a strategic solution to ensure the sustainability of water supplies. This field study aims to measure the capacity of these systems to remove salts and bacterial contaminants, providing drinking water with balanced physical, chemical, and biological characteristics.
The research scope includes analyzing water quality from multiple sources (shallow wells, groundwater, and public distribution networks), with a focus on assessing water used in vital facilities such as hospitals, medical laboratories, and food industries. Preliminary results indicate a wide proliferation of these technologies, accompanied by a remarkable disparity in quality standards and the technologies employed. The study seeks to provide a comprehensive scientific evaluation linking the performance of these plants with standard health criteria, thereby contributing to the enhancement of sustainable water management strategies and the reduction of health risks associated with water pollution in coastal areas.